Trump's claim of 'massive cheating' in Philadelphia rejected by officials    China is building new villages on its remote Himalayan border    Kamala Harris cancels election night party as path to victory narrows    Netanyahu fires Israeli Defense Minister after months of clashes over war and politics    Al Nassr secures 5-1 victory over Al Ain to edge closer to knockout stage    Al-Khateeb: Saudi Arabia is the largest global investor in tourism sector "Saudi Land" pavilion inaugurated at World Travel Market in London    Saudi Crown Prince, Japanese PM discuss over phone efforts made to achieve peace in the region    Saudi Deputy FM meets Lt. Gen. Al-Burhan of Sudan    Saudi Arabia, in its drive to enrich Arab culture, launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris    Neymar exits Al Hilal match with muscle injury, leaving fans disappointed    Saudi Arabia approves cooperation agreement with US for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes    Quality of Life Program CEO highlights Saudi urban transformations at UN-Habitat conference in Cairo    AlHisn Big Time Studios unveiled to transform film and TV production in Riyadh    Almarai wins 'Best Corporate Sukuk' at Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards    Top climber falls to death after rare Himalayan feat    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



‘My brother fought cancer with a smile and I will do the same'
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 20 - 02 - 2017

[caption id="attachment_121217" align="alignleft" width="271"] Hanaa with her late brother Hamza.
[/caption]
By Faheem Al-Hamid
JEDDAH — The sister of Hamza Iskandar, the Saudi youth who fought cancer with a smile till he died of bronchitis, is now fighting her own battle with sarcoma (a cancerous tumor of connective or other nonepithelial tissue).
"My 25-year-old brother Hamza was cured of cancer, but died of bronchitis related complications because of hospital neglect and mishandling. He, however, passed on a legacy to me that I will carry on," said 24-year-old Hanaa Iskandar.
"My brother fought cancer with a smile and I will do the same," said Hanaa, who often wanders into her brother's room and rearranges his stuff.
"I imagine him sitting at his couch. I talk to myself as if I am talking to him. The tears still flow down my face. I look at his countless trophies that he won from his cancer fighting campaigns. I have to be strong for my family. My dad and my brother Mohammad are still in shock at the loss," said Hanaa.
"My family is going through a lot emotionally and financially. They just lost a son to cancer and they will have to go through the trauma of chemotherapy all over again and the possibility of losing me also. Not to mention that hospital bills are expensive," she said.
"I will have to go to the United States for my treatment. I need to go through four chemotherapy sessions before returning to Saudi Arabia to continue my treatment. I will be taking doses of a new type of medication called Lartruvo to replace chemotherapy," said Hanaa, adding that she will be the first Saudi woman to ever take this treatment.
Last October, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Lartruvo (olaratumab) with doxorubicin to treat adults with certain types of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), which are cancers that develop in muscles, fat, tendons or other soft tissues.
"This medicine is only available in a hospital in Texas. I don't want to go back to chemotherapy. My family is waiting for the Ministry of Health to renew my medical treatment grant to go to Texas," said Hanaa, whose brother Hamza died last month after battling cancer for five years.
Last conversation
Hamza's father said he remembers the last conversation he had with his son.
"He was telling me: ‘Dad, hurry up. I can't breathe anymore. I am too tired.' Once we reached a hospital, we found that it was closed and they wouldn't take my son in. My son then told me: ‘Dad, it's too late. I'm gonna die.' I told him we're not too late, it's death that has come early. And I saw his eyes close. He was able to recite the Shahadah before he died," said the father.
Hamza's mother today carries the fight starter by her son. She says, they will fight cancer with a smile.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/saudi-youth-loses-battle


Clic here to read the story from its source.